According to NY Times, "The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted to enact a series of fare hikes and service cutbacks needed to keep the transit system from going broke." Apparently, New Yorkers like Mariam, 34 feel differently. She has previously lived in both Washington DC and Virginia and says, "The MTA is a joke. They will keep blaming it on the economy to raise the prices." On Sunday, June 29th, 2009 the MTA raised the fares from $2.00 to $2.25. Millions of daily riders were affected by this change especially the low and middle class folks.
It's been said that the changes were to occur earlier in the month. When they weren't enacted people continued on with their lives forgetting about the fare changes. Personally, I was astonished when I had to pay $ 4.50 for two rides rather than usual $4. However, the MTA is New York City’s only means for public transportation which means not everyone has an alternative method of travel. A public activist who preferrs to be called John Doe had lots of information regarding the MTA's budget and the fare increase. He had a copy of the MTA’s 2009 budget that recorded the increased fare already included in it. Assuming that's true, the MTA's excuse regarding financial woes is bogus. Do we believe that the legislature could have prevented this from happening?
In contrast, Natalie St. Hilarie believes the NY state government isn't involved and that this is a private sector issue. While some people are completely dependent on public transportation, others aren't. People with cars have an advantage; where as an extra quarter per ride adds up and becomes a strain for people without cars. Some like Mariam, Natalie and Doe believe that if fares continue to rise, another boycott may take place. Just as Mariam said, "people may just have to find other means for travel."
It’s been reported on taxfoundation.org that Governor Patterson proposed for the 2010 revenue an increase of 8.625% in total. This includes the elimination of the sales tax exemption for clothing and a rise in the city sales tax rate from 4% to 4.25%. According to the daily News, NYC is definitely the most expensive city to live in. Therefore, the fare raise will become a problem for the average New Yorker. As Mariam said, "We must look for other means; so put the peddle to the metal with the bikes and some pep in your step with the walk."
